The Maldives is one of the more expensive countries to visit. Though you can travel to the Maldives on a budget of $50 a day, you should be looking to spend closer to $240 a day. Though it is possible to visit the Maldives on a budget, the average daily expenses as reported by previous visitors to the country is $3,400 for a week’s trip for a couple. Catering for an exuberant level of luxury, the Maldives is on the higher end of the cost spectrum.
The Maldives is an island paradise, composed of many exotic islands and is considered a dream destination for many travellers from around the world. It is one of the more popular destinations for honeymooners and is considered one of the most romantic gateways in the world. Though the beautiful sandy beaches and breathtaking waters are sure to make for a memorable experience, many people shy away from the Maldives after considering the price tag of a visit. Though the average cost for a couple on a week’s trip to the Maldives is around $3,400, this could go further up depending on the level of luxury that you are seeking. That being the case, it is certainly possible to visit the Maldives on a budget.
If luxury is what you are after, you will find everything from over-water bungalows to private island dinners on a deserted island. If you have the money to splurge, then the Maldives could be an ideal destination to experience all the opulence the country has to offer. From beautiful beaches to fine dining, the resorts in the Maldives truly does offer grandness and magnificence, which makes for an amazing island gateway.
With over 60 local dive sites across the islands, the Maldives is ranked one of the best recreational diving destinations in the world. This coupled with the exotic natural environment of the islands, with blue ocean and white sandy beaches make for an unforgettable experience, which is worth the money you spend.
Considered the lowest country on the planet, the Maldivian culture is a mix of Indian, African, European, Arabian and Asian heritage. Composed of approximately 1,200 islands, close to 800 of these islands are still uninhabited. 200 of these islands are populated by people while the remaining 200 host hotels and resorts. With the largest island covering a length of about 6 km long, the Maldives is home to some of the smallest islands in the world, with many no more than a few square meters in size.
Average Cost of a Maldives Holiday
When considering the average costs involved, we have to hold a median on the level of luxury. Obvious to state, the cost of airfare would depend on where you are travelling from. Hence, we will provide you with a range of the average costs, broken down into various components. You could be looking to spend anything in between this value on an average.
For the purposes of generating an average cost of a holiday in the Maldives, we will take into consideration a 7-day trip for a couple, in a more luxury-oriented package on the higher spectrum of the average cost.
| Estimated Costs | |
| Airfare | $400 – $1200 |
| Accommodation | $700 – $3,900 |
| Food and Drink | $200 – $1,100 |
| Attractions | $300 – $700 |
| Local Transport | $200 – $400 |
| Total | $1,800 – $7,300 |
As you can see, there is quite a range within the average cost of a trip to the Maldives. This is because the country offers a level of luxury which is in general unmatched. You would find some really expensive 3-star resorts, and we aren’t even considering the resorts on the higher end of the spectrum. These resorts even cost upwards of $5,000 a night. However, there is a cost of luxury, which we will highlight in the later sections of this article.
The average costs fall within a range as mentioned above. Costs of airfare for instance depends on where you travel from, and whether you choose to fly first class or economy. You can expect to spend within the range on food and drink, based on where you choose to wine and dine. When it comes to wining and dining, the Maldives surely offers an unparalleled experience. If you choose to splurge on a $5,000 a night resort, you could see yourself splurging on romantic dinners in a private island gateway, in the middle of the beautiful Indian Ocean. That being the case, just the way you can splurge above the average, you can travel the Maldives on a budget too. We will look at travelling the Maldives on a budget in later sections of this article.
With the average costs as is, we’ll look into the costs of luxury in the Maldives to get an idea of how expensive a trip to the Maldives can get if you are looking to splurge on opulence.
Cost of Luxury
When it comes to luxury, the Maldives offer an unparalleled experience that will spoil you. The Maldives hosts some of the best luxury resorts on the planet, and they all come with a hefty price tag. However, if you are looking to splurge on a little bit of luxury and spoil yourself, then the Maldives can offer you a level of opulence, which will leave a lasting memory of your trip to the Maldives.
However, you should be warned, once you experience the extraordinary luxury of a Maldivian resort, any other holiday may seem rather ordinary to you.
The Six Senses in Laamu go at above $5,000 a night, as do most other resorts such as The St Regis Maldives Resort in Vommuli which offer overwater villas and beach villas, which all come at a price. A three-bedroom John Jacob Astor Estate villa in St Regis Maldives comes with a whopping $22,000 price tag; per night.
When it comes to wining and dining, you could experience something amazing at the Ithaa Undersea Restaurant. Dining five meters below the surface of the ocean, this is the world’s first undersea restaurant, with a beautiful panoramic view of the coral and marine life. The view is combined with fabulous fusion menus coupled with fine wines. The cost for lunch at the restaurant sits at around $180 per person.
From fine wines to champagne and caviar, the Maldives will treat your senses with a level of splendour that only money can buy. If you are looking to splurge, there is no stopping the level of luxury and comfort that you can seek in the Maldives. You can lavish yourself in unspoiled beaches and bask in the richness of private island tours, swimming seas which only a handful of people have.
How Expensive is Food in the Maldives?
Visiting the Maldives on a Budget
Obvious to state, the Maldives offers some unparalleled luxuries at a cost. However, if you are travelling the Maldives on a budget, is that possible? The plain and simple answer to this question is yes. Though the Maldives offer otherworldly opulence, it too caters for the budget traveller.
You can travel the Maldives on as little as $50 a day per person. You can easily find yourself accommodated in one of the cheaper hotels within one of the populated islands, where private rooms in guesthouses go at around $30 a night. The perks of staying on a populated island are that food is readily available, be it street vendors or restaurants. Hence you could see yourself spending around $10 on food. This leaves you with $10 that you can spend on other activities.
For $30 to $60 a night, you could find yourself a comfortable room, which is modern, clean, with airconditioning, hot showers and free breakfast and Wi-Fi. Though these rooms are rather cheap, they are really nice, with previous travellers stating that they were better than rooms they had stayed at in Eastern Europe for that same price.
Though the Maldives can be as expensive as it has been iterated out to be in this article, it is certainly possible to travel the Maldives on a small budget. You can take advantage of the lowered prices during off-peak season to further save on your travel expenses.
Best Time to Visit Maldives
With an average temperature of 23ºC – 31ºC, Maldives is sunny and warm all year round. Hence regardless of which time of the year you plan to visit the islands, you will find pleasant tropical weather.
When it comes to tropical weather, the best time of the year is usually the dry season, which is November to April. With the high season from December to April, you will find more tourists flocking the islands. Though the Maldives rarely gets crowded by tourists, the prices of resorts and activities are usually higher during the high season. Hence if you are looking to visit the Maldives on a budget, then the best time to visit is between April and June.
